See the Cast of ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles’ Then and Now

‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles’ was the first John Hughes-directed film to focus on adults, rather than teenagers.

In the 1987 comedy, Steve Martin and John Candy play business travelers with the very adult problem of trying to get home during the crush of Thanksgiving travel. The mismatched pair get into a variety of misadventures during their three day trip from New York to Chicago. When they finally arrive, the film ends on a touching Thanksgiving-appropriate note.

Read on to see what the cast of ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles’ are up to these days.

Steve Martin, Neal Page

YouTube/Jemal Countess, Getty Images

Then: Martin went the straight man role as Neal Page, an advertising executive who struggles to get home to his family for Thanksgiving. The movie’s release was around the apex of Martin’s film career, as he had just starred in ‘Roxanne’ and was about to do ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ and ‘Parenthood.’

Now: These days, the 67-year old is also well known as a best selling author and a Grammy-winning bluegrass musician.

John Candy, Del Griffith

YouTube/TriStar

Then: John Candy was well-meaning but obnoxious shower ring salesman Del in ‘Planes Trains & Automobiles.’ The SCTV alum was one of the bigger comedic movie stars of the ’80s, appearing in films such as ‘Uncle Buck,’ ‘Brewster’s Millions’ and ‘The Great Outdoors.’

Now: John Candy died of a heart attack in 1994, during the filming of ‘Wagons East.’ He was 43. His last film ended up being the Michael Moore-directed ‘Canadian Bacon,’ which was released in 1995.

Laila Robins, Susan Page

YouTube/Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images

Then: Robins played Neal’s wife Susan in ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles.’ It was the film debut for the-then 28-year-old, who, despite a long list of TV and movie credits, remains more known as a theater actress.

Now: In 2011, Robins played French finance minister Christine Lagarde in ‘Too Big To Fail,’ a HBO movie about the financial crisis of 2008. In 2012, she starred in the play ‘Sweet and Sad.’

Michael McKean, State Trooper

YouTube/Gary Gershoff, Getty Images

Then: You may remember McKean for his role as a state trooper in ‘Planes Trains & Automobiles.’ Mckean had got his big break in 1976 when he was cast as Lenny on the long running sitcom ‘Laverne & Shirley.’ He was also well known for having played David St.Hubbins in the mockumentary ‘This is Spinal Tap.’

Now: The 65-year old has had recent TV guest appearances on “Homeland’ and ‘Happy Endings.’ In May of 2012, McKean was hit by a car in New York City. His injuries caused him to drop out of the Broadway play ‘The Best Man’ and has required an “extensive” period of rehab.

Kevin Bacon, Taxi Racer

YouTube/Dave Kotinsky, Getty Images

Then: Proving once again that Kevin Bacon is in every movie, the actor has a very brief role as a man who races Neal for a taxi cab. Bacon had made his movie debut in 1978 as Omega pledge Chip Diller in ‘Animal House’ and got his first major starring role in 1984′s ‘Footloose.’

Now: Bacon’s prolific acting career has led to the game “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.” His latest effort, 2012′s “Jayne Mansfield’s Car,’ gave costars Billy Bob Thornton, Robert Duvall and John Hurt one degree.

Dylan Baker, Owen

YouTube/Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

Then: Dylan Baker made his film debut as Owen in ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles.’ Soon after, he guest starred on shows like ‘Miami Vice’ and ‘Spenser: For Hire.’

Now: You might not know his name, but you probably recognize his face. Baker played Dr. Curt Conners in ‘Spider-man 2′ and ‘Spider-man 3′ and has been seen on the TV dramas ‘The Good Wife’ and ‘Political Animals.’

Edie McClurg, Car Rental Agent

YouTube/Valerie Macon, Getty Images

Then: In one of ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles’ most memorable scenes, Neal profanely dresses down a chipper rental car agent played by Edie McClurg, who responds with some profanity of her own. McClurg was already well-known for playing Mr. Rooney’s secretary in ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.’

Now: McClurg remains a regular TV face, having done episodes of ‘Portlandia’ and ‘Desperate Housewives.’ She’s has also lent her signature Midwestern accent to the cartoon ‘The Life & Times of Tim’ and the animated film ‘Wreck-it Ralph.’

Matthew Lawrence, Little Neal

YouTube/Mark Mainz, Getty Images

Then: ‘Planes, Trains, and Automobiles’ was the big screen debut for Lawrence, who at the age of seven had already made appearances on TV shows ‘Gimme a Break!,’ ‘Sara’ and ‘Dynasty.’

Now: Lawrence went on to play the role of Jack Hunter in ‘Boy Meets World.’ He was also in ‘The Hot Chick’ and ‘The Comebacks.’

Olivia Burnette, Marti Page

Paramount Pictures/IMDB

Then: Olivia played Neal’s cherubic daughter whose pageant Neal misses on his way home. It was an early role for the prolific TV star who went on to star in ‘The Torkelsons.’

Now: Burnette has appeared in TV in roles on ‘Dexter,’ ‘Sons of Anarchy,’ ‘The Closer’ and other series. But we’re still holding out for a ‘Torkelsons‘ reunion.

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